Are you looking for more information about our products and materials? Check out our frequently asked questions.

Why do waves or ripples appear in my framed photo, and how can I prevent this?

Waves in framed photos can occur when a print reacts to changes in temperature and humidity, especially with larger formats. This often happens along the edges and is seasonal, for example in autumn or during periods with strong temperature fluctuations caused by air conditioning in summer.

Photo paper has a polyethylene (PE) layer that helps keep moisture out, but the paper layer itself can still absorb moisture, which may cause rippling or buckling. To prevent this, the photo can be mounted onto a firm backing, such as acid-free board or polystyrene. Polystyrene is a rigid plastic sheet about 2 mm thick that provides extra support, keeping the photo flat in the frame and preventing waves from forming.

Read more about polystyrene here.